Pepper Spray Laws
Pepper Spray Laws by State
Zarc International, Inc™ with the assistance of legal counsel, compiled these state statutes referenced below on the sale and use of pepper sprays in the respective states.
We believe these statements to be correct to the best of our ability, however this document should not be used for any legal interpretation.
Zarc International, Inc.™ allowed products listing may change from time to time as well as state statutes. This is the most current compilation of pepper spray state laws. Please check with your local jurisdiction if unsure.
State
Legal?
Alabama
Section 13A-7-27 involves the criminal use of a noxious substance. There does not appear to be any specific statute involving self-defense sprays.
Alaska
Section 11.81.900 (a)(18) defines "defensive weapon" as "a device to dispense Mace or a similar chemical agent, that is not designed to cause death or serious physical injury." Section 11.61.210 (a)(6) prohibits the sale of a defensive weapon to a person under 18 years of age. Such a defensive weapon cannot be possessed in a school without permission of certain school authorities, unless the person is 21 years of age or older.
Arizona
Section 13-3101.7 excludes from the definition of "prohibited weapon" "any propellant (or) propellant actuated devices, which are manufactured, imported or distributed for their intended purposes." There is nothing that appears to regulate or prohibit the lawful use of self-defense sprays of any kind.
Section 5-73-124 makes the possession of tear gas or pepper spray illegal. However, it is legal to possess "a small container of tear gas or pepper spray to be used for self-defense purposes only, but the capacity of the cartridge or container shall not exceed one-hundred fifty cubic centimeters (150cc)." Although it hardly seems necessary, there is also a specific prohibition against using and spray against the law enforcement officer. There is nothing, therefore, that appears to prohibit the lawful use of self-defense sprays as the size limitation is much larger than Mace or other brands of defense sprays.
California
Subject to certain restrictions, Section 12403.7 of the Penal Code provides "any person may purchase, possess or use tear gas and tear gas weapons for the projection or release of tear gas if the tear gas and tear gas weapons are used solely for self-defense purposes.” The definition of tear gas also includes pepper spray. The restrictions include a prohibition against selling such a unit to a minor, and a provision limiting the size to 2.5 ounces by weight.
The misuse of tear gas in California comes with state penalties of up to a $1000 fine and/or up to three years in prison, not to mention a possible felony conviction on record. Some examples of misuse include: using tear gas on people in anger, spraying it as a joke, possession of tear gas by prohibited persons, minors, drug addicts or persons convicted of felonies.
To be legally purchased, possessed or used in California, any canister must have a label that says "WARNING: The use of this substance or device for any purpose other than self-defense is a crime under the law.
The contents are dangerous--use with care." The maximum legal net weight for a canister is 2.5 ounces, or 70 grams of OC, CS or CN. CR is not legal for civilian use.
Delaware
Title 11, Section 222 (7) defines "disabling chemical spray" as including self-defense sprays. However, the only prohibitions concerning such sprays appear to be restricting their possession by minors, and increasing the penalty for criminal use of the sprays, i.e., use of a spray while committing another criminal offense.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Pepper spray in DC is legal with restrictions.
Self-defense sprays are lawful if used or possessed by a person 18 or over "in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of the person or the person's property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life." Section 6-2322 et seq.
When purchasing such a spray, the buyer must complete a standard registration form, and the vendor must forward the form to the Metropolitan Police Department. Section 6-2324. Internet Sales Limited
FLORIDA
Yes, pepper spray is legal in FL.
"Self-defense chemical sprays" are legal. They are defined as "a device carried solely for purposes of lawful self-defense that is compact in size, designed to be carried on or about the person, and contains not more than two ounces of chemical". Section 790.001.
Although it may seem redundant, there is an express prohibition against using chemical sprays against a law enforcement officer. Section 790.054.
HAWAII
Pepper spray in HI is legal with restrictions.
Only OC products are legal for use by or sale to persons 18 and over. There is a ½ ounce size restriction and there are licensing requirements.
ILLINOIS
Pepper spray in IL is legal with restrictions.
The use of a product "containing a non-lethal noxious liquid gas or substance designed solely for personal defense carried by a person 18 years of age or older" is authorized by Section 720 ILCS 5/24-1.
MAINE
Yes, pepper spray in ME is legal.
The criminal use of chemical mace or a similar substance is a violation of the law. 17 M.R.S. Section 1002. However, the use of such a substance in defending one's person or property is authorized.
MARYLAND
Yes, pepper spray in MD is legal.
Section 36 of the Criminal Code allows any person to carry "pepper mace" as "a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger". There appears to be no provision regarding any other self-defense sprays.
MASSACHUSETTS
Pepper spray in MA is legal with restrictions.
Internet Sales Not Allowed
Massachusetts defines ammunition as including "tear gas cartridges, chemical mace, or any other device or instrument which contains or emits a liquid, gas, powder or other substance designed to incapacitate." To sell or possess "ammunition," a license is required. Therefore, the unlicensed sale, or the unlicensed use of self-defense sprays is illegal in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts residents may only purchase self-defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers in that state.
Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 121, et seq. The licensing authority is the local chief of police or other persons authorized by the locality.
MICHIGAN
Pepper spray in MI is legal with restrictions.
Michigan law contains size restrictions (no more than 35 grams of CS [CS is the only tear gas accepted] or no more than 10%, OC. There is a prohibition on sales to minors. Section 750.224d.
Excerpt from Michigan Law Click Here
Changed December 2010
750.224d Self-defense spray or foam device.
MINNESOTA
Yes, pepper spray in MN is legal.
The use of a self-defense spray is permitted "in the exercise of reasonable force and defense of the person or the person's property only if it is propelled from an aerosol container, labeled with or accompanied by clearly written instructions as to its use, and dated to indicate its anticipated useful life.”
"Section 624.731 also contains other provisions relating to use and possession including giving municipalities the power, if they so elect, to license the retail sellers of self-defense sprays.”
MISSOURI
es, pepper spray in MO is legal.
It is permissible to use or possess a device that ejects a "temporary incapacitating substance." Section 571.010 (8)
NEVADA
Pepper spray in NV is legal with restrictions.
Nevada law prohibits possession of tear gas weapons, except for CS by adult (no minors or felons) with no more than 2 fluid ounces in the form of an aerosol spray "which is designed and intended for use as an instrument of self-defense".
NEW JERSEY
Pepper spray is legal in NJ with restrictions.
Is Pepper Spray Legal In New Jersey?
Pepper spray in NJ is legal with restrictions.
Any non-felon 18 or over may possess for the purpose of self-defense "one pocket-sized device which contains and releases not more than three-quarters of an ounce of chemical substance not ordinarily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury, but rather is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air." Section 2C:39-6i.
NEW YORK
Pepper spray is legal in NY with restrictions.
Is Pepper Spray Legal in New York?
Pepper spray is legal in NY with restrictions.
Internet Sales not allowed
The possession of "self-defense sprays" by persons who are not felons or who have been convicted of an assault, are 18 years or over, for the protection of person or property and its otherwise lawful use is legal. "Self-defense spray" is defined as "a pocket sized spray device which contains and releases a chemical or organic substance which is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air or any like device containing tear gas, pepper spray or similar disabling agent."
There are certain labeling requirements.
Sales require both a seller's license and the completion by a purchaser of a registration form.
New York residents may only purchase defense sprays from licensed Firearms Dealers or licensed Pharmacists in that state. No more than two sprays may be sold at any one time to a single purchaser. Section 265.25 (14) and (15).
NORTH CAROLINA
Pepper spray in NC is legal with restrictions.
Is Pepper Spray Legal In North Carolina?
Pepper spray in NC is legal with restrictions.
Possession and use of self-defense sprays is lawful for non-felons so long as the device does not exceed 150 cubic centimeters (150cc). Section 14-401.6.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pepper Spray is legal in PA
Pepper Spray Legal In Pennsylvania?
"Chemical mace" is specifically excluded from the definition of weapons. There appears to be no regulation or restriction on the lawful use of self-defense sprays.”
RHODE ISLAND
Pepper spray in RI is legal with restrictions.
Is Pepper Spray Legal In Rhode Island?
Pepper spray in RI is legal with restrictions.
"Any person eighteen (18) years of age or over may carry on his or her person and use, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any non-lethal noxious substance or liquid for his protection or the protection of others." Section 11-47-57.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Legal w/restrictions.
It is lawful to possess a container not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters (50cc) containing tear gas "for self-defense purposes only." Section 16-23-470.
TEXAS
Legal.
It is permissible to possess a "small chemical dispenser sold commercially for personal protection." 10 Texas Penal Code Section 46.01 (14).
WASHINGTON
Legal w/ restrictions.
Section 9.91.160 explicitly authorizes the sale and use of "personal protection spray devices" such as "mace, pepper mace, or pepper gas." There is an age restriction to persons age 18 and older, or 14 with a parent or guardian's permission.
WISCONSIN
Legal w/ restrictions.
Tear gas is not permissible. A "device or container that contains a combination of oleoresin of capsicum and inert ingredients" is permissible. By regulation, OC products with a maximum OC concentration of 10% and weight range of oleoresin of capsicum and inert ingredients of 15-60 grams is authorized. This is 1/2 oz. and 2 oz. sprays. Further, the product can not be camouflaged, and must have a safety feature designed to prevent accidental discharge. The units may not have an effective range of over 20 feet and must have an effective range of six feet. In addition there are certain labeling and packaging requirements: must state cannot sell to anyone under 18 and the phone number of the manufacturer has to be on the label. The units must also be sold in sealed tamper-proof packages. Wisconsin Statutes Section 941.26 and Justice Regulations 14.01 et seq.